Francesco Schettino, captain of the Costa Concordia, has described the sinking of the vessel as a “banal accident” in an interview.

In an interview with Italian Canale 5 Schettino also claimed “destiny” had played a role in the disaster.

Some 32 people are believed to have died when the Costa-operated cruise vessel hit rocks off the Isle of Giglio earlier this year.

Schettino has been under house arrest since the incident, but was released last week, prompting a series of media interviews.

He is still confined to his home city of Naples.

He stands accused of manslaughter, causing a shipwreck and abandoning the liner during the sinking.

Prosecutors have alleged the Concordia was too close to the island in a publicity stunt.

Schettino, who for the first time said “sorry” following the incident, went on to insist another official was at the helm of the ship at the moment it rammed the reef.

Some 4,200 were aboard when the vessel hit rocks.